CMHC to Increase Mortgage Insurance Premiums

OTTAWA, February 28, 2014 — Following the annual review of its insurance products and capital requirements, CMHC will increase its mortgage loan insurance premiums for homeowner and 1 – 4 unit rental properties effective May 1, 2014.

Survey reveals confusion among tenants and landlords in the US over rental laws

Demand for residential rentals in the United States is strong but there is a great deal of confusion over existing rental laws among many landlords and tenants, a new survey has found.

Overall some 82% of tenants and 76% of landlords lack understanding of laws on security deposits, credit and background checks, the latest Zillow Rentals survey shows.

Federal Budget

To the governments credit, they have invested time to learn about the “smaller” players in the financial space, and have committed to learn more about their needs and to balance the playing field.

Government reduces tax burden on first-time buyers!

Today I received great news for first time buyers from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver.

Why many U.S. renters are just saying no to buying homes

With a wife ad a 10-year-old daughter, Matthew Amster-Burton appears to be one of the likelier people to buy a house, but the Seattle food writer says he has no interest in doing so.“It does feel weird sometimes, because it’s supposed to be the grown-up thing to do,” says Amster-Burton, 38. ” … But it’s really not my goal, and it does seem like I’m swimming against the tide sometimes.”

Canada budget 2014 looks to slash public servants’ benefits in effort to save billions

Jim Flaherty lowered his outlook for this year’s deficit to $16.6-billion from the $17.9-billion estimate in his November fiscal update. For 2014-15, the shortfall forecast has been lowered to $2.9-billion from $5.5-billion. 

No U.S.-style housing market meltdown for Canada: CIBC

A new report released by CIBC World Markets found that a U.S.-style housing meltdown is not likely to occur in Canada. Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist at CIBC argues that there are fundamental differences that set the Canadian market apart from the U.S. market.

Don't Pay until....NOW?!

 "Buy Now, Pay Later" sounded great when you were merrily shopping for the holidays and collecting shiny new things that were just a signature away. Unfortunately "Later" is now here, and you may have a mailbox full of credit car d statements to prove it. Add those to your existing debts and you have the makings of a true holiday hangover. 

The Fragile Five: What you need to know about the 5 emerging markets causing chaos in world markets

Last year Morgan Stanley declared the Brazilian real, the Indonesian rupiah, the South African rand, the Indian rupee, and the Turkish lira as the “Fragile Five.”